Oldham’s newest secondary school has finally welcomed its first intake of students.

The Year 7 students at the Brian Clarke CofE Academy and the school’s newly appointed teaching staff, have started the academic year in temporary accommodation at The Blue Coat School grounds.

The school has also partnered with Mahdlo Youth Zone to provide students access to sporting provisions.

Headteacher of The Brian Clarke Academy, Allison Ash, said: “I am extremely proud that we have finally opened our new school to 240 young people.

"The temps, which do not look like temporaries at all have the look and feel of a real school, with the finishing and soundproofing that make them a perfect learning environment.

“The children have settled in extremely well and are enjoying a challenging academic curriculum, fantastic pastoral support, and a rich co-curricular offer.

"We have already celebrated European Day of Languages with a delicious bake off and are looking forward to appointing our first Poet Laureate before half term”.

Both Brian Clarke Academy and Blue Coat School will exist on the same site until spring 2023.

The construction of the new school over at Booth Steet is advancing and should be ready by the end of April 2023.

Julie Hollis, chief executive for Cranmer Education Trust, whose schools include Mayfield Primary School, East Crompton St George’s Primary School, The Blue Coat School and The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy, said: “It has been a long journey through a changing and sometimes challenging political and economic context, but worth every minute to see the excitement of the pupils and the delight of parents.

“The commitment, expertise and dedication that this new team of staff is bringing will enable more young people to learn, achieve, succeed, progress and become the sort of people we are proud to know with a great future ahead of them.”

She added that it was always the Trust’s vision to achieve a school that encompasses “a community that is a microcosm of a multifaith, multi-ethnic and multi-talented borough.”

Brian Clarke will soon welcome Year 5 and 6 students for an open evening which will run from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, October 6 at the Blue Coat School.

Headteacher talks are set to take place at 6.15pm and 7pm.

For more information on the school’s events visit www.brian-clarke.org/events